Apparatus for measuring distances of distant objects.



No. 738,155. PATENTBD SEPT. 8, 1903. T. D. BROWN & G. W. & 'J. H. HAUSE.APPARATUS. FOR MEASURING DISTANCES 0F DISTANT OBJEGTS.

ABPLIUATION FILED 150?.12, 1902. F0 MODEL 2 SHEETSSHEET 1- No. 738,155.PATENTED SEPT. 8,1903. T. D. BROWN 6: G. W. & .T. H. HAUSE.

APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DISTANCES 0P DISTANT OBJECTS.

ABPLIOATION FILED NOV. 12, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 2 snnnTs-sany hz 7 m: uoqms PETERS cd, swam-urns. mswmsmu. ur,

Patented September 8, 1903.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS D. BROWN, GEORGE W. HAUSE, AND JOSEPH H. HAUSE, OF PHIL-ADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, .ASSIGNORS TO THEMSELVES, TRADING AS AUTOMATICMEASURING MACHINE COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF PHILA- DELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FDR MEASURING DISTANCES F DISTANT OBJECTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 738,155, datedSeptember 8, 1903.

Application filed November 12, 1902. Serial No. 130.975. (No model.)

1'0 (all w/tom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, THOMAS D. BROWN, GEORGE W. Hausa, and JOSEPH H.HAUSE, of the city and county of Philadelphia, State 5 of Pennsylvania,have invented an Improvement in Apparatus for Measuring the Distance ofDistant Objects, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is designed to enable the dis- I0 tance of distantobjects to be measured accurately and instantly by a single instrumentand one observer and without the necessity of making calculations. It isbased, primarily, on thelaw of optics that if the same obi5 ject beviewed simultaneously from two different positions the distance betweenthe two lines of vision will be proportional to the distance of theobject from the observers-cl 6., it will be proportional to the angle atthe object between the two lines of vision. In applying this principleto practice we substitute for the two observers two reflectors locatedat a distance apart and each adapted to receive and reflect anindependent image of the object upon the object-glass, which images byreason of the difference in the angle of reflection will be separatedone from another a distance proportional to the distance of the objectfrom the reflectors. By making the outer 3o or most distant reflector ofsnfficientsize these two images may be reflected to the objectglass oneabove the other, and by placing between the lens and object-glass apartition arranged in a plane intersecting the object- 5 glass betweenthese two images, the confusion of the images refracted by theobjectglass is prevented and the two distinctimages are received by theretina of the eye of the observer. By arranging a scale between the ob-0 ject-glass and lens laid off in distances proportional to thedifferences in the angles formed at the object by the rays of reflectionof the two reflectors for different distances of the object andexpressed in terms of the dis- 5 tance the distance of the object fromthe reflectors and observer may be instantly determined by simplyobserving on the scale the distance between corresponding points on thetwo images.

The apparatus is monocular, since by rea- 5o son of the separation ofthe two images, the retina of the eye will receive the two distinctimages without confusion. It may be used for a great variety of purposesand for taking the distances of ships orother objects at sea, or lightsand signals at night, or for measuring distances on land or height ofmountains, 850. With a simple object-glass and lens the position of theimages will be reversed; but they may be restored to true position bythe interposition of a reflector or second lens.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a distance-measuringapparatus embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal horizontalsectional view of the same on the line A A of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is atransverse section on the line B B of Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale. Fig.sis a diagram illustrating the location and action of the lenses andreflectors, and Fig. 5 is a diagram illustration of the manner of layingoff the scale.

a and b are the reflectors, which receive and reflect the images of theobject to be measured. They are arranged at a convenient distance apart,so that the rays from the 0bject to the two reflectors will form anacute angle at the object, which is equivalent to viewing the objectfrom two different positions. Of these reflectors the outer or moredistant, a, is of greater height than the inner or nearer, b, so thatthe image received by it maybe reflected over the inner reflector b. Thetwo reflectors a Z) are arranged parallel to one another and at an angleof forty-five degrees with reference to the object-glass c, which islocated adjacent to the inner or nearer reflector b, so that the twoimages reflected by the reflectors a and b are transmitted to theobject-glass 0.

(Z is the usual lens or eyepiece which is 10- 9o cated in front of theobject-glass c.

e is a horizontal partition extendingfrom the object-glass c to theeyepiece (I, which seems to prevent the confusion of therays refractedby the objectglass, which, if per- 5 mitted, would result in theconfusion of the images. The retina will therefore receive two distinctimages-one reflect-ed from tho outer or more distant reflector a throughthe upper portion of the objectglass c and above the partition 2 and theother reflected from the inner or nearer reflector I) through the lowerportion of the object-glass and below the partition 6. One of theseimages will be above the other, and as the two distinct images arereflected from difierent angular positions with reference to the objectone will be in advance of the other. These images, however, would bereversed in direction, and therefore we prefer to place a reflector fbetween the lens d and the eye to restore the images to their properdirection. This will bring the two images into the position shown inFig. 3.

The horizontal distance between the two images depends on the distancebetween the two reflectors a b and the distance between the reflectorsand the objecti. 6., it will vary with the angle at the object betweenthe two points of reflection. As the distance between the two reflectorsis constant, the horizontal distance between the images will vary withthe distance between the object and the reflectorst. e., the distance ofthe object from theobserver-and consequentlyby measuring the distancebetween the two images the distance of the object from the observer canbe readily determined. For this purpose we arrange a micrometric scalein such position that it may be observed simultaneously with theobservation of the two images and that the distance between the images,and consequently the distance of the object, from the observer may beinstantly read oif. In practice this scale is preferably arranged in thefocus between the objectglass 0 and the lens (1.

The manner in which the scale is graduated is illustrated in Fig. 5. Letat be the point of observation at which the reflector a is placed and ybe the point of observation for the reflector b. The distance so yequals the distance between the two points of observation or thedistance between the two points of reflection a I). Take a line z ,2,parallel to the line between the points 00 y. An observer at 00 lookingdirectly at an object one mile distant will observe it in a line 00 mintersecting the line zzat the point 2; but an observer at y looking atthe same object will observe it in a line intersecting the line 5 a at apoint 2 By projecting the line y .2 to the line 00 so the point ofintersection 0 will give the distance 0 con the line m a," for an objectone mile distant and the distance .2 5 on the line 2 2 will indicate forthe two points of observation a; y the distance of the object from thepoint 00. By laying off on theline mm the distances 0, 0 0 &c., fortwo,three,four, 850. ,miles and connecting those points with the point3/ the intersections 2 5 2 &c., of the lines 0 y, 0 y, o y, 8110., withthe line a 2 will give the distances z 53, z 2 .2 2 650., indicating thedistance of the two images on the scale-disk, or it may be a thread,hair,

or fine wire stretched across it.

In the prepared form of our apparatus the reflectors a b are fastened ina tube or cylinder i, with the object-glass c mounted in the end in anopening, to which is fitted a short laterally-bent tube extension j, inwhich the lens d, partition 8, scale 9, and reflector f are arranged inthe relation described and as shown in Fig. 2. As shown, the cylinder 1'is hinged to an extension-rod k, mounted in a pedestal m. By this meansthe elevation of the cylinder may be adjusted, and it may be turned orswung into any desired position to view the object. In practice we havefound a distance of thirty-six inches between the reflectors a b assatisfactory. The side of the cylinder '5 at the points where thereflectors a b are located is formed with openings n.

In using the apparatusas, for example, on shipboard to measure thedistance of a ship at seathe tube t is adjusted until the reflectors a bare presented to the object to reflect its image. The observer with hiseye at the opening of the short tubej will see two images of the object,the upper one reflected by the outer reflector a and the lower reflectedby the reflector b. For the reasons explained one of these images willbe in advance of the other and the distance between the same point oneach image will determine the distance of the object from the observer.This distance can be readily and instantly determined by adjusting theinstrument to bring any given point on one image in line with the indexh, when the distance of the like point on the otherobject can beinstantly read off from the scale g in terms of the distance of theobject from the observer.

We do not mean to limit ourselves to the details of construction shown,as they may be varied without departing from our invention.

That we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is asfollows:

1. In an apparatus for measuring the distance of a distant object, thecombination of two reflectors located at a distance apart and eachadapted to reflectan independent image, an object-glass arranged toreceive said independently-reflected images, and a partition arranged ina plane intersecting said objectglass and adapted to prevent confusionof the images refracted thereby, whereby two independent anddifferently-located images may be refracted by said object-glass, the

IIO

difference in location of said images depending on the distance of theobject viewed and the distance between the reflectors.

2. In an apparatus for measuring the distance of a distant object, thecombination of two reflectors located at a distance apart and eachadapted to reflect an independent image, an object-glass arranged toreceive said independently-reflected images, and a partition arranged ina plane intersecting said objectglass and adapted to prevent confusionof the images refracted thereby, whereby two independent anddifferently-located images may be refracted by said object-glass, thedifference in location of said images depending on the distance of theobject viewed and the distance between the reflectors, and a scalelocated adjacent to said object-glass expressing the distances betweensaid images in terms of the distance of the object from the reflectors.

3. In an apparatus for measuring the distance of a distant object, thecombination of two reflectors located at a distance apart and eachadapted to reflect an independent image, an object-glass arranged toreceive said independently-reflected images, a partition arranged in aplane intersecting said objectglass and adapted to prevent confusion ofthe images thereby, whereby two independent and diflerently-locatedimages may be refracted by said object-glass, the difference in locationof said images depending on the distance of the object viewed and thedistance between the reflectors, a scale located adjacent to saidobject-glass expressing the distances between the said images in termsof the distance of the object from the reflectors, and having anindex-point located in the direct line of reflection of one of saidreflectors.

4:. In an apparatus for measuring the distance of a distant object, thecombination of two reflectors located at a distance apart and eachadapted to reflect an independent image, an object-glass arranged toreceive said independently-reflected images, alens arranged in front ofsaid object-glass and adapted to receive the images refracted therebyand a partition arranged between said object-glass and lens in a planeintersecting them to prevent confusion of the images refracted thereby;

5. In an apparatus for measuring the distance of a distant object, thecombination of two reflectors located at a distance apart, and eachadapted to reflect an independent image, an object-glass arranged toreceive said independently-reflected images, a lens arranged in front ofsaid object-glass and adapted to receive the images refracted thereby, apartition arranged between said object-glass and lens in a planeintersecting them to prevent confusion of the images refracted thereby,and a reflector arranged in front of said lens and adapted to reflectthe images refracted thereby.

6. In an apparatus for measuring the distance of a distant object, thecombination of two reflectors located at a distance apart and eachadapted to reflect an independent image, an object-glass arranged toreceive said independently-reflected images, a lens arranged in front ofsaid object-glass and adapted to receive the image refracted thereby, apartition arranged between said object-glass and lens in a planeintersecting them to prevent confusion of the images refracted thereby,and a scale located in the focus between said object-glass and lens onone side of said partition expressing the distance between said imagesin terms of the distance of the object from the reflectors.

7. In an apparatus for measuring the distance of a distant object, thecombination of two reflectors located at a distance apart and eachadapted to reflect an independent image the outer or more distantreflector being of larger area than the inner reflector, an objectglassarranged to receive said independentlyreflected images, a lens arrangedin front of said object-glass and adapted to receive the imagesrefracted thereby, a partition arranged between said object-glass andlens in a plane intersecting them to prevent confusion of the imagesrefracted thereby.

8. In an apparatus for measuring the dis tance of distant objects, thecombination of a tube having sight-openings in its side, two independentreflectors arranged at an angle within said tube adjacent to saidsight-openings and adapted to reflect two independent imageslongitudinally through said tube, an object-glass carried by said tubeand located in the line of the rays reflected by said reflectors, and apartition arranged in a plane intersecting said object-glass to preventconfusion of the images refracted thereby.

9. In an apparatus for measuring the distance of distant objects, thecombination of a tube having sight-openings in its side, two independentreflectors arranged at an angle within said tube adjacent to saidsight-openings and adapted to reflect two independent imageslongitudinally through said tube, an object-glass carried by said tubeand located in the line of the rays reflected by said reflectors anextension of said tube beyond said object-glass, lens in said extension,and a partition arranged in said extensions beyond said lens andobject-glass in a plane intersecting said object-glass and lens toprevent confusion of the images refracted thereby.

10. In an apparatus for measuring the distance of distant objects, thecombination of a secting said object-glass and lens to prevent confusionof the images refracted thereby, and a scale located between said lensand object-glass expressing the distances between said images in termsof the distance of the object from the reflector.

ll. In an apparatus for measuring the distance of distant objects, thecombination of a tube having sight-openings in its side, two independentreflectors arranged at an angle within said tube adjacent to saidsight-openings and adapted to reflect two independent imageslongitudinally through said tube, an object-glass carried by said tubeand located in the line of the rays reflected by said reflectors, anextension of said tube beyond said object-glass, a lens in said.extension, a partition arranged in said extensions beyond said lens andobject-glass in a plane intersecting said object-glass and lens toprevent,

confusion of the images refracted thereby, and a scale located betweensaid lens and object-glass expressing the distance between said imagesin terms of the distance of the object from the reflector, and having anindeX-point located in the direct line of reflection of one of saidreflectors.

12. In an apparatus for measuring the dis tance of distant objects, thecombination of a tube having sight-openings in its side, two independentreflectors arranged at an angle within said tube adjacent to saidsight-openings and adapted to reflect two independent imageslongitudinally through said tube, an object-glass carried by said tubeand located in the line of the rays reflected by said reflectors, anextension of said tube beyond said object-glass having its extremitybent at an angle, a partition arranged in said exten sion beyond saidlens and object-glass in a plane intersecting said object-glass and lensto prevent confusion of the images refracted thereby, and a reflectorarranged at an angle at the bent extremity of said extension.

13. In an apparatus for measuring the distance of a distant object, thecombination with two independent reflectors located at a distance apart,the object-glass and partition arranged in a plane intercepting saidobjectglass, all substantially in the manner and for the purposedescribed, of a scale arranged in front of said object-glass laid ed indistances proportional to the angles formed at the object at diflierentdistances by the rays reflected from said object by independentreflectors.

14. In an apparatus for measuring the distance ofa distant object, thecombination with the two independent reflectors located at a distanceapart, the object-glass and partition arranged in a plane interceptingsaid objectglass, all substantially and for the purposes described, of ascale arranged in front of said object-glass laid ofi in distancesformed by a line parallel to the line between said reflectorsintercepting the lines of the rays from said object to said reflectorsat different dis tances.

In testimony of which invention we hereunto set our hands.

THOMAS D. BRO\VN. GEORGE W. HAUSE. JOS. H. HAUSE. Witnesses:

ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER, R. M. KELLY.

